I have been selected as an honoree for "The Greatest Night" an event honoring up and coming business professionals in central Florida. I have committed to help fight cystic fibrosis (CF) by raising $5,000. Having the privilege of personally knowing Max Paul and his family - - I know this is a cause worthy of our attention. Max's mom, Lori, is a courageous fighter. Lori stands up for what she believes in and is living proof that one person can make a tremendous difference in this world. When the going gets tough, Lori gets tougher. While being recognized during "The Greatest Night" is an honor, I am doing this for the Paul family as a small token of my gratitude for always doing what's right, even in times of adversity.

As you look at Max today, you see an active, energetic, curious three year old who loves climbing, swimming, watching for the garbage and mail trucks in the Paul's neighborhood, digging in the dirt, ice cream and his two puppies. From the outside looking in, you could never fathom the turmoil this little boy and his family has had to endure.

During Max's first year, doctor visits showed very slow weight and length gains and he was behind on most of his milestones. In this year, Max was rushed to the hospital as he was vomiting blood. After his discharge, the vomiting resumed. This began a two month course of visits to several specialists and eventually a pediatric pulmonologist. Soon after the Paul family received the diagnosis, and while it wasn't good, they felt a source of comfort knowing the problem had been identified.

Understanding CF was a life-threatening genetic disease, the Paul family began their courageous battle. Lori advocated for improvements and advancements in pediatric health care in central Florida, raised awareness and funds for CF research, but more importantly Lori made Max's health and wellness her full-time job. While it would be easy for her to feel defeated, this challenge seemingly invigorated Lori, this was her chance to make a difference.

Their first visit to Nemours was overwhelming and they spent nearly five hours at the CF clinic. An x-ray was taken of Max's lungs, which also showed signs of CF, and this began his daily breathing treatments with a medication that would thin the mucus and make it easier to expel. The doctor advised them that once these treatments started, they would continue for the rest of his life. Along with the breathing treatments, twice a day Max is hooked to a machine that performs a type of chest physical therapy, which helps clear his lungs.

In the 17 months since his diagnosis, Max has made great progress. The doctors are very pleased with his weight and height increases. He has learned to tolerate the daily breathing treatments, chest physical therapy, and multiple doctor visits. However, Lori and Jim have been forced to question everyday routines that most families take for granted.

In the late 1950's, Lori's aunt lost three infants and a fourth child at age nine to CF. When the CF Foundation was created in 1955, children with CF were not expected to see their first day of elementary school. Today, with improvements in care and treatment made possible, in large part, by the efforts of the CF Foundation, the median age of survival has climbed to nearly 37 years. Although this is a significant improvement, it is an average, many do not make it that far and some beat the odds. We continue to lose precious young lives to CF every day.

Please help me reach my goal and make a donation to help children like Max. Your donation is 100% tax deductible and $ .90 of every dollar goes straight to funding research and ultimately a cure for CF. The donation process is simple:

ONLINE - You can make a donation online, please follow the simple instructions.

CHECK/CASH - Make your check payable to CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION (CFF) and return it in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. Your canceled check will serve as your receipt. If you mail the check in, please include a note that your donation should be credited to my fund-raising campaign. You may also give me your donation and I will make sure your money gets delivered to the foundation.

Together, we can add tomorrows every day to the lives of all people like Max, who live with CF each and every day.

Please feel free to share this information close friends or family members – the more the merrier! I can be reach via cell phone at (321) 278-1173 if you have any questions.

Thank you, Jaclyn